It's the idea that these small developers can get feedback on their ideas, and maybe land a contract with MS to get on XBLA or better. Brilliant idea by MS, because this would give them a great way to recruit new/innovative developers to work for them on bigger projects. Good for MS and good for XBL gamers. Smart.

Yeah but these are XNA games meaning they are being developed by amateurs so they should be free, it wouldn't be fair on the devs if MS charged for the content and they didn't see any of the money. It's like that thing Sony did on PS1 and they used to put some of the games on demoes, I can't remember the name of it Y....

Good idea, will be interesting to see if this takes off, i mean i've had one look at the tools and walk away so i for one will stick to LBP and create my own levels as that looks alot of fun, but will be nice to see games made by gamers and gald its free.

I think it's great Sony is doing that and MS is doing this, it's great for gamers in general. Most games will be crap ? Well, maybe but there will be some great titles as well and even if some are crap, it's free.

Am I the only one who is more excited about this announcement than the Gears of War 2 announcement?

Edit: RE @12.1 -

Naw, I just think there's more potential in this, honestly. GoW2 is one game. A sequel to a great game, mind you, but still just one game.

Individual developers or small groups can take bigger risks with new ideas than larger companies are willing to. Why do you think Madden almost never changes? It's not just because EA is lazy - it's a risk to change a formula that works.

Hence why TV shows, movies, and now games are all becoming carbon-copies of other TV shows, movies, and games that worked in the past. Welcome to corporate-funded "creativity."

i doubt it for one main reason: if people could get achievements from these games then people would make games like this "load game. press the "A" button 5 times. Achievment Unlocked: 200pts (pressed "A" 5 times) mass achievment farming would run wild and then they would loose all "value" thus killing one of thier main pluses over thier competition (sony).

I hope it really turns out into a great service where creativity and innovation are keys in all titles and as many others mentioned, it really helps the little-guys. I am currently myself started working on my game design and if this service turns out to be great, I may consider it in the future.

I've just played some of them. I love Jelly Car...its a great little game... sort of reminds me of crayon physics. Rocketball is a real nice game too...this is a great service and you'd have to be stupid to say otherwise. There is so much potential here.

Or is it another stolen idea? If I'm wrong, well then I'm sorry, but its the same thing Sony is doing with Home. They gave out tools for it just the other day. I could be wrong, and if so good luck M$, I'll be enjoying Home with some buddies. You know watch a movie here and there launch some games, the good stuff. Damn life is wonderful for all gamers, XBOX360, Wii, Pc, and yes Sony Entertainment Presnents (Drum roll) PLAYSTATION3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

I guess you think Microsoft just announced and released the XNA an hour ago at GDC, then in the next few weeks some amateur developers create games for it and go BACK IN TIME so that Microsoft could show them at the GDC and upload them to XBox Live.

Also, I think you're in the wrong zone. Try next door, where the Sony fanboys are drooling over themselves about Little Big Planet and are apparently unable to understand that:

1) This is significantly different than LBP and 2) Just because it's a Microsoft idea doesn't mean it's bad idea.

Thats what home is in a sense.. they do that, but this is cool, Hats off to MS for going free. thats awesome.. XNA just got better... i'm happy for MS with this announcement. it's even better than the gears 2 announcement.. this is cool.. wow... Good job MS i'm really impressed. MS is bring the goods.

still it's a Farcry from Sony's.None the less stellar showing for this year.. i cant wait.

This is a free service that allows people who make games using Microsoft's XNA game development kit to share them with the 360 community for peer review. This means amateur developers who wouldn't usually have the funding to release games to such a wide audience can share games with the entire 360 community, while 360 gamers around the world can enjoy these simple, fun, free games.

I would have a lot more fun actually making a game than playing others, but that's just me. Hopefully a lot of people will try out XNA now because an opportunity to get your creation out to millions should never be missed.

That was actually a huge dream of mine growing up. My first thoughts and ideas were about a 2d fighter based on the Star Wars universe. We had drawn up backgrounds for it and everything. We had it all planned out.

i think this the only xbox announcement worth mentioning. i don't exactly think it's utube persay, but a cool idea. free games--i don't know if this is microsoft we are talking about here. this is just competing with sony, or else they will make a way of making money somehow.